Chapter 4 – Got It 

To say it was a modern room—that was only relative to this era.

In truth, not long ago, this place had nothing at all. Even now, it was little more than a space with a bed, a set of tables and chairs, and a small area partitioned off as a makeshift bathroom.

Nüwa, being an artificial intelligence, had no need for living space. This room had been hastily built by her after Xuan Yuan  ‘s arrival—purely as a temporary measure.

The factory embedded within the mountain couldn’t operate at full capacity, but that didn’t mean it was completely useless.

At the very least, it had produced everything currently in Xuan Yuan  ’s room:

• the luxurious robe he wore, resistant to heat and cold and able to automatically adjust body temperature;

• the bracelet on his wrist equipped with optical camouflage and multiple stealth technologies;

• the thumb ring capable of spatial storage;

• and the matching jade belt that could generate an energy shield—all crafted by Nüwa.

The rest he could still make sense of. But when he got the storage ring, Xuan Yuan had nearly convinced himself he’d transmigrated into a xianxia (immortal cultivation) world.

Wasn’t the tech behind this thing just a bit too advanced?
Had humanity of the previous era really developed stuff like this through pure science?

He lay lazily on the bed and lowered his eyelids slightly. In front of him, a holographic light screen popped up.

From the overhead camera feed, he could see Pei Xiu and his entourage, who had just been with him, approaching Xiangyang City.

The source of the footage was an inconspicuous bird in the sky—actually one of Nüwa’s bionic drones.

At least in appearance, the drone was indistinguishable from a real flapping-wing bird.

«I still don’t understand—why did you entrust Pei Xiu with this task?»

Nüwa’s voice sounded as she suddenly materialized beside Xuan Yuan  , tilting her head slightly.

«My logic models suggest that if you, Master, had delivered the warning yourself as a divine being to the local people, wouldn’t that have brought you greater benefit?»

«And then what?» Xuan Yuan lifted his eyelids, »Sure, I could pretend to be some divine figure and make the locals treat me as a celestial, so they’d obediently evacuate ahead of time. But after that, I wouldn’t be able to do anything about the actual relief effort. Your production capacity is still down, and I’m the only one eating well right now. How am I supposed to handle relief supplies for thousands of refugees?»

«Rather than doing everything myself, it’s better to inform the local officials from the beginning—get them involved early. That way, I can take it easy, they get credit for saving lives, and the locals survive the disaster. Everyone wins.»

«The quiet investigations these past few days have already shown that Pei Xiu is at least a halfway-decent official. With him watching over things, even if some of the minor clerks try to embezzle relief supplies, they won’t dare go too far. At the very least, the people will make it through the toughest period.»

«Got it,» Nüwa nodded. »My cannons still aren’t big enough! Don’t worry, Master! Give me at most half a year, and I’ll make sure you can fire one straight at that old Emperor!»

«What the hell kind of logic is that!? Why would I fire a cannon at the Emperor!?»

Nüwa pouted, muttering who-knows-what to herself.

                                               —— Scene Break ——

When Pei Xiu arrived at Xiangyang City, he saw a group of people waiting at the city gate.

Stepping off the carriage, he walked forward, and one of the house guards understood the cue—presenting the official appointment papers and related documents to those waiting at the gate.

After verifying the documents, the subordinates of the Prefectural Office all came forward to greet Pei Xiu.

The top-ranking officials—Biejia (Deputy), Changshi (Chief Secretary), and Sima (Military Aide)—were officials Pei Xiu had brought himself. Those at the gate were the lower-ranking staff of the Prefecture Office.

There was a whole crowd: Registrar, Military Advisor, Recorder, Administrative Clerk, Agricultural Clerk, Staff Officers, and more.

«We humbly greet the Prefect!»

Pei Xiu greeted each person, asked their names, and then introduced his own entourage. Only then did the whole group proceed into the city.

Xiangzhou was the administrative center of the Southern Dao, and Xiangyang City was its prefectural capital. On this ancient land that once belonged to the state of Chu, it held centuries of history and was a famed city.

Once inside, Pei Xiu kept a careful eye on the conditions of the markets and streets. Though he knew full well that everything he was seeing had likely been staged by the local officials for his arrival, his experienced eye could still discern some genuine truths beneath the surface.

Due to its strategic location, Xiangyang was a necessary stop for merchants from all directions. As a result, the city had a thriving commercial atmosphere, with peddlers shouting and stalls lining the streets.

The roads were bustling, crowds weaving in every direction. Upon seeing an official carriage pass by, people instinctively stepped to the sides to make way.

Historically, starting in the mid to late Tang Dynasty, the urban commoner class had begun to emerge. By the Song Dynasty, they had gradually broken free from feudal bonds and became a true citizenry.

Although the Great Zhou resembled the Tang Dynasty in many ways, this flourishing urban economy had the distinct flavor of the Two Song Dynasties.

Upon entering the Prefect’s Residence, Madam Pei naturally led the children, house guards, and maids to the rear quarters. Pei Xiu, meanwhile, changed into official attire and proceeded to the main hall of the government office.

Before arriving at Xiangyang, Pei Xiu had already instructed everyone to keep the encounter with the immortal secret for now. So even though the clerks at the office had already struck up friendly conversation with the Pei household’s staff along the way, no one had the faintest clue about their Prefect’s divine encounter.

Calling the Registrar to his side, Pei Xiu asked:

«Registrar Li, let me ask you—east of Xiangyang, is there a village called Li Family Village?»

Registrar Li nodded and answered respectfully:

«Half a day’s travel east of the city lies the village of the Li clan. There are nearly 200 households, over 700 residents.»

Pei Xiu raised an eyebrow in surprise.

«Hmm, sounds like a high-tier village.»

Typically, a lower-tier village had only two to three hundred people; middle-tier villages had five or six hundred. For Li Family Village to have over seven hundred, it was clearly among the top tier.

Registrar Li smiled humbly and nodded repeatedly, bowing as he replied:

»My lord, the Li Family Village is an excellent place—backed by mountains and facing water. All its fields are top-grade irrigated farmland. The nearby hills are full of forest goods and herbs. Apothcaries from across neighboring prefectures source their ingredients from there. Naturally, the population thrives.»

Pei Xiu noticed the pride on Registrar Li’s face—and the shared surname—and had a sudden thought.

«You’re from Li Family Village?»

«Indeed, my lord.» Registrar Li bowed again.

Pei Xiu chuckled inwardly.

Even better.
Since the man was from that very village, with his hometown at stake, how could he not take the matter seriously?

Then Pei Xiu added:

«Come closer. I have something important for you to do.»

When Registrar Li leaned in and heard the Prefect’s instructions, his face instantly filled with astonishment and confusion.

«This… my lord!? Truly!? How could you possibly know there’ll be an earth dragon turning over in three days!?»

«Speak not, speak not,» Pei Xiu said calmly, stroking his goatee—but there was a glint in his eyes.
«Just do your job well. Once all is said and done, you’ll be rewarded accordingly.»

Since the situation wasn’t confirmed yet, it was still too early to invoke the name of the immortal. Once the earth truly stirred and disaster struck, Pei Xiu would instruct his guards to quietly spread word of the divine warning.

«But if you mess it up…»

«I wouldn’t dare disappoint the Prefect!» Registrar Li quickly swore.
«I shall handle it at once!»

After a moment’s thought, Pei Xiu added:

«No need to rush just yet. The County Magistrate of Xiangyang hasn’t left, has he? Summon him. I have something for him as well.»

Pei Xiu, holding a nominal title as Southern Dao Observer, was the Prefect of Xiangzhou. Since Xiangyang City was under the jurisdiction of Xiangyang County, it naturally had its own County Magistrate—just like how a province’s capital city always had its own city government.